The Hali Project, Inc. — Local Advocacy Training

Statewide Need
To help ensure that the interests of all citizens in Texas are represented in public policy discussions and decisions, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families must have the opportunity to participate actively in the policymaking process. By serving as primary sources for information regarding the real-life impacts of legislative and policy decisions, they can provide legislators and other policymakers with an understanding of the needs of individuals with IDD and their families. Through advocacy training programs, people with IDD and their families can provide substantive input to policymakers about programs, services and issues directly affecting their lives, and local advocacy networks can provide a range of support to individual advocates in their communities.

Project Goal
Train others to lead groups and seminars using the project’s Community Voices training program.

Project Summary
The Hali project partnered with Uniting Parents, Leadership Amarillo, Texas Federated Women’s Clubs, Texas Tech University and local school districts to provide advocacy training for individuals with IDD, their families, and professionals throughout the Panhandle and South Plains regions of Texas. The project trained individuals to lead groups and seminars using the project’s Community Voices training program. The rural challenges were met by delivering the program at the local level with project staff visiting with families rather than asking them to come to a central location.